About
Seven Stories — The National Centre for Children's Books in the Ouseburn Valley of Newcastle upon Tyne is Britain's only museum dedicated entirely to children's literature — a place where the stories that children love are preserved, celebrated, and brought to life. Housed in a beautifully converted Victorian flour mill in the creative quarter of the Ouseburn, the museum is both a functioning national archive and a vibrant visitor attraction that welcomes families, book lovers, researchers, and school groups.
The name Seven Stories refers to the seven floors of the converted mill building — and to the seven levels of a story, reflecting the layered richness of great children's literature. The building itself is a joy: warm red brick, timber floors, and the distinctive industrial character of a Victorian working mill, sensitively adapted to create gallery and archive spaces that feel appropriate to the treasures they hold.
The museum holds the nation's archive of post-war British children's literature — a collection of extraordinary breadth and cultural significance. Original manuscripts, illustration artwork, working notes, correspondence, diaries, and personal papers from beloved British authors and illustrators are preserved here: Judith Kerr (The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog the Forgetful Cat), Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), Shirley Hughes (Dogger, Alfie), Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials), Berlie Doherty, Robert Westall, and many others. These archives reveal the creative process behind the books that have shaped generations of British childhood — the drafts, the revisions, the rejected ideas, and the brilliant inspirations that produced the finished works.
The exhibition programme draws on this archive to create immersive, interactive galleries that bring children's books to life. Exhibitions rotate regularly, each one themed around a different author, illustrator, or aspect of children's literary culture. Visitors might find themselves in the world of Judith Kerr's tiger, exploring the artwork and story behind a beloved classic, or discovering the dramatic manuscripts and working papers of a contemporary author. The galleries are designed to engage children actively — hands-on activities, storytelling spaces, dressing-up, and creative challenges make Seven Stories a genuinely participatory museum.
Regular events include author visits, illustrator workshops, storytelling sessions, and family activities. The bookshop is exceptional — one of the best children's bookshops in the North East. Seven Stories is a place of genuine national importance: preserving the cultural heritage of British childhood while creating new generations of passionate readers.
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Highlights
The National Archive of British Children's Literature
Seven Stories holds the nation's archive of post-war British children's literature — original manuscripts, illustration artwork, correspondence, diaries, and personal papers from the authors and illustrators who shaped modern British childhood. Authors represented include Judith Kerr, Michael Morpurgo, Shirley Hughes, Philip Pullman, Berlie Doherty, Robert Westall, and many others.
These archives reveal the creative process behind beloved books — the drafts, revisions, and revelations that transformed first ideas into the finished stories millions of children have loved.
Selected archive materials are displayed in the gallery exhibitions.
Changing Exhibition Programme
Seven Stories runs a year-round programme of changing exhibitions, each one drawing on the national archive to explore the work of a specific author or illustrator, or a theme in children's literature. Past exhibitions have explored the world of Judith Kerr (including original artwork for The Tiger Who Came to Tea), the universe of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, and the social history visible in the work of Shirley Hughes.
Each exhibition is created with children as its primary audience — immersive, interactive, and designed to inspire as well as inform.
Judith Kerr Collections
Judith Kerr (1923-2019) — the German-born British author and illustrator best known for The Tiger Who Came to Tea (1968) and the Mog series — donated a substantial archive to Seven Stories before her death. Her story is also a story of the twentieth century: she fled Nazi Germany with her family as a child in 1933, eventually settling in Britain and becoming one of the most beloved creators in children's literature.
The Seven Stories collections include original artwork, manuscripts, and personal papers from across her remarkable career spanning over five decades.
Storytelling and Events Programme
Seven Stories runs one of the most active events programmes of any museum in the North East — regular storytelling sessions for young children, author readings and events, illustrator workshops, craft activities, and holiday programmes that fill the building with activity and noise throughout the year.
Author visits are a particular draw, with Seven Stories hosting major names from British children's publishing alongside emerging debut authors. These live events turn the museum into a place of encounter between books and their readers.
Collections
The National Archive
Permanent display of selected materials from the national archive of post-war British children's literature, with interpretation of the authors and the creative process.
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.